In response to the racist incidents that took place last week on campus, several campus constituencies have organized four dialogue spaces for students, staff, and faculty. Please consider attending one of the dialogues and forwarding this information to others who may be interested. Join us to stand united against hate and ignorance. Thank you.
Student-Led #ITooAmOSU Roundtable
Wednesday, March 12, 2:15 pm
Native American Longhouse (NAL)
A space for intentional dialogue about the recent hate incidents on campus, immediately following the student-led march. Please join the start of the march at 1:00pm at the Pride Center.
Marketplace West Dining Center, Large East Conference Room
A space for on-campus residents and supporters to discuss the current environment of inclusion in our halls and pathways for building an even more inclusive community.
Sponsored by the Residence Halls Association (RHA) and UHDS Diversity Initiatives and Programs (UHDS DIP)
Marketplace West Dining Center, Large East Conference Room
A space for dialogue regarding opportunities for White-identified anti-racist allies to support education and action about racial identity and racism on campus.
Sponsored by Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI) and Intercultural Student Services (ISS)
Two deplorable incidents of racism have occurred within the past week on our Corvallis campus. As a community and as a university, we will not tolerate these acts.
One case involves an anonymous threatening hate note left in a campus building, which the Oregon State Police are investigating. Another case involves racist graffiti displayed on an interior building wall.
While neither of these cases appear to be connected, we want to strongly state that any racist act or statement contradicts the values of our community and the university. Oregon State faculty, staff and students stand united within a culture and community of shared civility, where respect and inclusivity are part of who we are and how we act.
Hate speech is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The university and law enforcement are taking immediate steps to investigate both matters, and the university supports the prosecution of those responsible for these acts to the fullest extent possible under law.
President Ed Ray and Provost Sabah Randhawa have been informed of these incidents, and want law enforcement to make every effort to identify the perpetrators of these crimes as quickly as possible. “These behaviors do not reflect who we are,” President Ray said. “Therefore, we will not let people who engage in these terrible and senseless acts control us or persist in their actions.”
If you have information regarding these acts of racism, please notify the Oregon State Police and OSU Department of Public Safety by calling 541-737-3010. Or in case of an emergency, call 541-737-7000.
If you are a student and would like confidential assistance in dealing with matters such as racism, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPs) at 541-737-2131. If you are an employee and would like confidential assistance, please contact OSU’s Employee Assistance Program within the Human Resources Department by calling 541-737-3103 or online at human.resources@oregonstate.edu
As members of the Oregon State community, we cannot remain silent, and we condemn such racist behavior.
Rebecca Warner
Senior Vice Provost
Academic Affairs
___________
Larry Roper
Vice Provost
Student Affairs
___________
David Blake
Assistant Vice President
Human Resources and Public Safety
___________
Tracy Bentley Townlin
Interim Dean of Student Life
___________
Angelo Gomez
Executive Director
Office of Equity and Inclusion
___________
Allison Davis-White Eyes
Director
Intercultural Student Services
___________
Brett Deedon
President
Associated Students of Oregon State University
Oregon State UniversityOffice of the Provost and Executive Vice President
624 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, Oregon 97331
541-737-2111
College is the time to develop the skills you need and Career Trail is here to help! Take advantage of the Career Trail Prep by Step program. I am excited to be part of Career Service’s Initiative to reach out to OSU students both on and off campus by offering a new way to engage students in career preparation and develop their skills! Student success is the focus!
Career Trail is our new online career development self-directed and interactive program to reach students and alumni 24 hours per day, making accessibility for all at their fingertips. Career Trail engages faculty and staff by providing a resource including curriculum/assignments that can be used individually or in a classroom setting. Career Trail engages users with diverse levels of experience.
One of the aspects of the “Career Trail Prep by Step” program that I am excited about is how a student or alumni can quickly review the steps and determine where they are at in the career preparation process and find the step they are ready to engage in.
The Career Preparation process begins with getting to Know Yourself, your strengths, values, interests, and personality. What a great way to start!
Know the World of Work is the next step where you can learn about majors, what you can do with your major, and learn about jobs that excite you!
Next it is off to Develop Tools and Skills that will prepare you for a job. Here you learn about building a stand-out resume and developing stellar interviewing skills.
Next you Learn How to Connect. Connecting with others through your network, expanding your network through informational interviewing and using professional social media like LinkedIn can help you learn about opportunities and be ready to act on opportunities when they present.
You can even learn how to develop a professional website or blog under Now Keep Going!
For more help or information visit us at Career Services|B008 Kerr Administration Building | 541-737-4085 | career.services@oregonstate.edu
Carolyn Killefer serves as an OSU Career Counselor with over 20 years of professional counseling experience in academic, community, private practice, and industry settings with a commitment to helping others with their personal goals.
November 7 and 8, 2013 Veteran and Family Student Association Tabling Event
The VFSA is asking for volunteers to help with the Tabling Event being held in the MU Quad on November 7th and 8th. There are various times to choose from and are scheduled in hour increments, but you can volunteer for whatever time is suitable to your schedule. We would like two people per time, but more is possible. We will have table, chairs, flags and handouts for people. This event is to create awareness to veterans on campus that there is a veteran organization and we are here to help. Thank you for helping!
November 8, 2013 Oregon State University Veterans Day Ceremony
Oregon State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 685 asks you to join them in honoring our nation’s veterans. The ceremony will include a mock funeral ceremony with a 21 gun salute, as well as a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Ceremony. Dress is casual. The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. and in the Oregon State University Memorial Union Quad
November 11, 2013 OSU Womens Basketball Game against CSU Bakersfield dedicated to Veterans.
The Department of Veteran Resources is partnering with the Athletics Department and OSU ROTC Units to honor Veterans. OSU ROTC Joint Color Guard will be presenting the colors. OSU Student and Coos County Veteran Service Officer Eric Gleason will be honored on the court for his military service and continued service as a Veteran Advocate. Game starts at 6:00 p.m. Ticket Information can be obtained at the following website; http://beavertickets.com/.
November 11, 2013 Albany Veterans’ Day Parade
Student Veterans from around the state will be joining Oregon State University Student Veterans to walk in the 2013 Albany Veterans Parade. Those interested need to show up by 9:30 a.m at the Fred Meyer which is on 2500 Santiam Hwy SE in Albany, Oregon. Students will then travel from there to their line up spot in the parade by 10:00 a.m. Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. Point of Contact is Aleah Wright. Her phone number is 503-507-9699.
November 14, 2013 VA Outreach Day at Oregon State University
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA), Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director, and the Office of Veterans Resources are happy to once again host representatives from the Federal and County VA Programs. Present will be representatives from the Portland and Roseburg VA Medical Center, Salem and Eugene Vet Centers, and Benton County Veterans Service Office. The event will be held from 9:00 to 3:00 on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in the Memorial Union Veterans Lounge. Stop in to talk with these individuals about your VA benefits beyond GI Bill. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
November 15, 2013 Open House Event in Veterans Lounge
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA) and the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director are hosting an Open House Event in the Veterans Lounge on November 15, 2013 11:00 to 2:00. Come and meet your new leaders. Keynote speaker and guest will be Mr. Victor Kuhns, Director for Vets Helping Vets HQ. Refreshments and food will be provided.
We hope that your fall term has begun well! We are so excited to be underway with the new academic year.
The leadership of the College Student Services Administration Master’s Program changed this summer and is now under the leadership of Kim McAloney through the Office of the Dean of Student Life and Tom Scheuermann with University Housing and Dining Services. CSSA faculty had multiple planning meetings this summer and are excited for what the future holds for CSSA.
Two new pieces for this year that we are very excited about are WRITE Nights (Thursdays from 4-7pm in Furman 303) where CSSA students can have a designated study space each week and CSSA on Twitter @OSU_CSSA. We look forward to connecting via these opportunities!
Cohort of fall 2013
This fall, CSSA will be undergoing our 10-year graduate program review. All of our students, faculty and staff affiliated with the program will have an opportunity to participate. More information on how CSSA students can be involved will be sent via email soon.
Also, in addition to maintaining our on campus program, we are working on the development of a parallel ECampus program. We will write more about this in our blog near the end of this term.
That’s all our updates for now. Please let us know if you have questions.
Kim McAloney is Coordinator of Student Life Programs in the Office of the Dean of Student Life. Kim supports the College Student Services Administration masters program, the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program, and supervises interns.
Although the weather hasn’t been the brightest lately, I can feel the summer approaching! My name is Jesseanne Pope. I came to OSU last year as a transfer student from a community college in my hometown. I am now in my third-year (well almost DONE with my third year!), and am majoring in Liberal Studies with a focus in Social Justice. I am also earning a minor in Leadership and working on the Peace Studies Certificate.
The OSU campus holds a special place in my heart, as it has been my education, home, and work place for the past two years. I currently live on campus as a live-in staff member for University Housing and Dining Services. I work as a Community Relations Facilitator, which allows me to do programming around social justice and diversity topics in the residence halls, cooperatives houses, and cultural resource centers. I have held many other jobs on campus, all of which have been wonderful! For example, I worked last summer as START Orientation Leader with New Student Programs and Family Outreach.
As far as involvement goes, I keep myself pretty busy! I am President of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a collegiate honor society for all disciplines, an Every1 Peer Educator, and an intern with the Office of the Dean of Student Life (hence why you’re reading my story). As an intern here I work on developing and coordinating systems for future interns, for both undergraduate and graduate students. I have gained useful skills so far this term, including the use of Qualtrics (a university survey system), syllabus development, meeting facilitation, and blog writing!
After graduating from OSU I hope to continue on to earn my Masters degree in Student Affairs. I hope to end up working in a university setting. My dream is to work with students and social justice on a big campus. There are many focus areas within student affairs, so I haven’t chosen specifically yet. However, I think I would like to work in new student programs, housing and dining/residence education, admissions, or multicultural programs.
The picture below is from my time studying abroad in Europe. I am sitting on the ledge of a castle on the coast of the Mediterranean in Southeastern Spain. If you get the opportunity to study abroad, I wouldn’t pass it up! Enjoy your four day weekend everyone!
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
May 23rd, 2013 is the Bahá’í holiday of Declaration of the Báb.
Historical Context
The Declaration of the Báb happened in May 1844 when a Shi’a Muslim, Mullá Husayn, was on a journey looking for the Promised One. The Promised One, also called Al-Qāʾim in the Shi’a tradition, is a messiah figure told about in holy scriptures.
Mullá Husayn traveled to Shiraz, Iran where he was approached by a young stranger who invited Mullá Husayn to his home. This young man’s name was Siyyid Ali Muhammad and was a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad through the lineage of both of his parents. Mullá Husayn told Siyyid Ali Muhammad that he was searching for the possible successor to Siyyid Kázim, the Promised One.
This young man who was only 24 years old, told Mullá Husayn that he was Siyyid Kázim’s successor and the bearer of divine knowledge. When Mullá Husayn described the prophesies of The Promised One, Ali Muhammad declared, “Behold, all of these signs are manifest in me.”
Ali Muhammad then proceeded to explain the meanings of difficult holy teachings to Mullá Husayn and convinced him that he was the Promised One that Mullá Husayn had been searching for. Ali Muhammad said, “O Thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily, I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God.” Siyyid Ali Muhammad took the title of “The Báb,” which in Arabic means “the Gate.” He was the first of two prophetic figures who founded the Baha’i Faith, the other being Baha’u’llah, which in Arabic means “The Glory of God.”
This is the room where the Declaration of the Bab happened.
Mood and Common Greetings
Mood – Festive, remembering the influence and significance of the Báb’s words
Common Greeting – Allah-u-Abha – an Arabic phrase that means “God is the Most Glorious”
Words of the Bab, handwritten by Mullá Husayn.
Modern Significance
The Bahá’í faith quickly spread from that small room in Shiraz to more than 200 countries and territories around the world, representing diversity from all over the world. The writings of the Báb quickly became the foundations for the new Bahá’í belief system which became an official religion later through the Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who was a follower of the Báb’s teachings.
Bahá’ís claim that the Báb was also the spiritual return of Elijah and John the Baptist, that he was the “Ushídar-Máh” referred to in the Zoroastrian scriptures, and that he was the forerunner of their own religion.
The declaration of the Báb is one of the nine holy days in the Bahá’í calendar.
Rituals/Traditions
Praying
Programs that tell the story of His declaration
No work or school
A special prayer read two hours and 11 minutes after sunset, which is the moment when the Báb informed Mulla Husayn of his mission
Reflect on the process of searching for spiritual answers
It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.
This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997
WHO TO CONTACT
Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
May 14-16th, 2013 is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
Historical Context
Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that commemorates the day when God gave Moses the Torah, a summary of God’s laws, on Mount Sinai. The word “Shavuot” means weeks. The festival of Shavuot marks the completion of a 7-week period between Passover and Shavuot. The Torah commands that Jews count forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot. The last day of Passover, a sacrifice containing an “omer”-measure of barley, was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. The day before Shavuot, an offering of wheat is to be brought to the Temple. An “omer” is equal to about 3.64 litres. In antiquity, grain harvest lasted seven weeks. Barley was harvested during Passover and the harvesting of wheat began during Shavuot.
Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day, but is celebrated for disapora (Jews not living in Israel) for two days.
Mood and Common Greetings
Mood – Festive, merriment that celebrates the harvest and God’s provision
Common Greeting – “Chag Sameach!” which means Happy Holiday!
Modern Significance
Shavuot, unlike other Jewish holidays, does not have commandments in the Torah. The traditions of Shavuot highlight the importance of tradition for the preservation of Jewish religious observance. Shavuot remembers that is a connection between Judaism, agriculture, and healthy communities.
Dairy foods are popular during Shavuot, which are symbolic for several reasons:
When they received the law of the Torah and had to follow kosher, Jews chose to eat dairy foods as they transitioned into the new laws
The Torah is compared to milk by King Solomon, “Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11)
The Hebrew name of Mount Sinai is etymologically similar to the Hebrew word for cheese
Rituals/Traditions
Eating dairy foods – blintz, cheesecake, cheese-filled pancakes, basically any kind of amazing cheesy, dairy food you can think of
One night meal and day meal
Public readings of the book of Ruth – because the events of Ruth happen during harvest time
Greenery decorates homes and synagogues
All-night Torah study, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Hebrew: תקון ליל שבועות – this represents the night the Torah was given to Moses, Israelites overslept and Moses had to wake them because God was waiting on the mountaintop
Confirmation ceremonies for students aged 16-18 who are completing their religious studies
It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.
This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997
WHO TO CONTACT
Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
March 31st, 2013 is the Christian and Catholic holiday of Easter.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity celebrates Easter on May 5th, 2013.
Happy Easter!
Context
The celebration of Easter is a time for Christians to remember the resurrection of Jesus, who Christians believe to be fully God and fully human. According to the New Testament in the Bible, Jesus was put to death and physically raised from the dead three days later. Christians believe this action to be the defining moment in history, that all time had pointed to this moment, and that Jesus’ defeat of death represents new life for all who believe in His divinity. Jesus self-identified as being the Son of the Abrahamic God and claimed that His death reconciled man’s division from God.
Easter is celebrated by western Christianity and Catholicism according to the lunisolar patterns on the Gregorian calendar. The moveable date for Easter was established in 325CE by the First Council of Nicaea to be on the first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox. Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions are set according to the Julian calendar, which has a 13-day difference from the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of when Jesus rose from the dead is not conclusive by scholars, therefore Easter is celebrated as a moveable feast.
Significance
Easter is recognized by Christians as the most important Christian holiday. The 40 days leading up to Easter are observed as Lent, a solemn time of remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and love for all people. The week before Easter is called Holy Week that celebrates the last few events of Jesus’ life before He was unjustly killed and rose from the dead. Holy Week recognizes the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Each of these days reflects events recorded in the Christian Bible about the plots to kill Jesus, Jesus’ anticipation and willingness to sacrifice Himself, His betrayal, the trial of Jesus, the torture of Jesus, the unjust killing of Jesus as a common criminal, and the burial of Jesus.
Because of historical connections to the lunisolar calendar, many Easter traditions are derived from Pagan traditions that celebrate the changes during the spring equinox. Eggs and rabbits are fertility symbols that Christians adopted from the Germanic pagan goddess of the dawn, Ēostre. However, many symbols of new life also remind Christians of the open relationship they can have with God as a result of Jesus taking on the punishment that they deserve.
Pope Francis
Rituals/Traditions
Attending midnight or sunrise church services
Symbols include: red or colored eggs, lilies, empty tombs, crosses, candles
Music, singing, and dancing to joyfully remember new life because of Jesus
Celebratory processionals
New clothes
Meals shared with family and friends
Lamb served as the main course representing Jesus as the sacrificed innocent lamb
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
March 27th, 2013 is the first day of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.
Context
Holi (pronounced HO-LEE) is the Hindu spring festival also called the “Festival of Colors” and is observed primarily in India and Nepal but is celebrated by Indians and Hindus worldwide. Holi is a time that celebrates the beginning of spring and commemorates the vibrant colors that come after winter. The highlight of Holi is when people throw colorful scented powder and perfumed water at each other. Depending on the geographical location, Holi is celebrated anywhere between 2-16 days.
Social boundaries of class, religion, gender, age, and caste are lowered during Holi and everyone enjoys an exciting and joyful atmosphere. The end of the festivities are marked by lighting bonfires to remember the mythological Hindu significance of the holiday. Although Holi has ties to Hindu mythology, it is generally regarded as the least religious festival and has developed as a seasonal holiday that prioritizes bridging social differences.
Happy Holi!
Significance
The celebration of Holi is recounted in Hindu sacred texts as a remembrance of several stories. The first is the miraculous story of Prahlada. Prahlada was the son of the king of the Demons, Hiranyakashipu, but Prahlada was a devoted follower of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. Prahalada’s commitment to Vishnu angered Hiranyakashipu and he attempted to kill his son. In one attempt Prahlada was forced to sit in a fire with his sister Holika, but Holika burned to death and Prahlada survived and was unharmed.
The second story celebrated during Holi is the love play of the divine couple, Radha and Krishna. Radha’s mother suggested he smear any color he wanted on Krishna’s fair complexion to communicate his love for her in a playful manner. Today, young lovers communicate their affection to one another with the same lighthearted gesture during Holi.
The third mythological story of Holi is another deity love play of the Goddess Parvati who tries to win the heart of Lord Shiva. Parvati invoked the help of Kamadava, the Indian cupid-god, who shot a love-arrow on Shiva’s heart. Lord Shiva reacted to the love-arrow by opening his third eye in anger and incinerated Kamadeva. Upon realizing his mistake, Lord Shiva granted Kamadeva immortality for the sake of his sacrifice in dying for love. Today, Holi traditions acknowledge this story by offering sandalwood paste and mango blossoms to Kamadeva to soothe his burns.
Rituals/Traditions
Throwing colored powder and water at everyone
Water balloons or water guns full of scented or colored powder
